Teaching David

"Li! I had no idea you could fight so well! I mean, those three guys were much bigger than you."

David spoke with excitement, but Li Xian felt a bit uneasy. He had let his emotions get the better of him earlier. He had momentarily forgotten that he was in a new place, a completely different country.

Noticing Li Xian's lack of response, David carefully observed his friend's face and sensed his discomfort. Realizing the issue, David reassured him, "Li, you don't have to worry about the police. I don't think they would dare to complain, given their own fear of the authorities due to their past misdeeds. And even if they do, the police won't trust them."

During their journey, David had shared their troubled history with Li Xian, easing his concerns.

"Well, that's a relief. I'm also concerned that they might trouble you again because of this," Li Xian expressed, understanding the nature of such individuals. Although it would be a different story if he stayed, he had a mission to complete in China after his time here.

"I'm sure they won't let me off easily, but don't worry. I'm used to it, and I'll make an effort to stand up for myself from now on," David said with a nonchalant expression, feeling empowered by standing up for himself.

Li Xian observed David for a moment before a bright idea lit up his eyes.

"Alright! Let's put this behind us for now. I know some martial arts, so starting tomorrow, follow me to the mountains. While I gather lilies, I'll also guide you."

Li Xian decided to teach David the first stance of the Orion martial techniques. Although he hadn't mastered it himself, he believed it would be sufficient for David to become strong enough to defend himself.

Acknowledging that it might take more than 10 days for someone like David to complete even the first stance.

That too, if he put his utmost effort only.

Pondering this, Li Xian couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy towards Luminara and the others in the group, excluding Alex, who was also facing struggles. He wondered about their current progress in the technique.

However, everyone, like him, seemed occupied with the gathering mission. The group chat remained silent, devoid of any messages.

Deciding to revive the chat the next day after completing his gathering mission, Li Xian planned to inquire about their progress in both practice and material gathering if there were no responses by then.

"Really, Li? Are you genuinely going to teach me?"

David asked with genuine excitement. Witnessing Li Xian effortlessly handle three grown men had ignited David's imagination, fueling his eagerness to learn.

"Alright! Enough of that. And don't mention what happened to anyone. I'm going to rest now, so don't disturb me until tomorrow."

Li Xian instructed, walking towards his room. He gave a polite nod to Olivia, who appeared to be waiting for their return.

The next day, at around 10 am, Li Xian and David drove the pickup truck to the Kohukohunui mountain, having secured permission from Olivia.

Initially hesitant about David disrupting Li Xian's work, Olivia relented only after Li Xian affirmed his willingness to have David accompany him.

Near the base of the mountain, Li Xian patiently demonstrated the first stance to David.

"Did you get it?"

He inquired after the demonstration.

"Yes! It doesn't look that hard. Can I really become strong just by doing this?"

David asked skeptically, finding Li Xian's movements seemingly straightforward.

"Well then, since it's easy, I hope that by the time I return here, you'll have completed the first stance. Then, I'll start teaching you the second stance tomorrow."

Li Xian declared, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Challenge accepted! Go and get a good harvest."

David replied, already in a horse stance. Li Xian gave him one last look before heading off, setting an alarm for 4 pm.

When he returned from gathering, he found David sitting on a stone, enjoying the snacks his sister had packed.

"How was your practice? Were you able to complete the first stance?"

Li Xian asked teasingly as he approached David, diverting his attention from food to the conversation.

"Ahem! The practice was good."

David responded with an embarrassed smile, clearing his throat.

"It's alright! I know that practice is tough. Tell me that you at least finished one set, right?"

Li Xian, trying not to embarrass him further, asked again, although he wasn't too confident in the question, knowing the difficulty of the training.

"Not as bad as you said. I managed to finish two sets, but when I started the third set, exhaustion hit me. Right now, I just want to sleep as soon as possible to ease these pains and fatigue. I know it's not great, but I'll do my best to finish the first stance as soon as possible, or until my body can handle it."

David explained, surprising Li Xian a bit.

"Looks like David is even better than me in this technique? Am I really that bad or not suited for this?"

Li Xian wondered briefly, giving David an envious look that somewhat scared him.

"Hm! That's good. But make sure not to push yourself beyond limits, or else you'll end up hurting yourself. Also, eat a lot after every session, or your body won't cope with the increasing strength."

Li Xian warned as they headed towards their truck.

"Yeah! I felt extremely hungry. It's a good thing that my sister packed us some food. Also, I don't know why, but I already feel a bit stronger than usual."

David said, touching his muscles to check for any noticeable gains.

Li Xian ignored him as he sat inside the truck and enjoyed the food. Knowing that two sets might have given David a significant strength boost around seven kg, Li Xian pondered.

"Of course, he will feel the increase in strength, won't he?"

That day, Li Xian harvested 11 Lilies, bringing the total count to 76.

Li Xian: [How was your practice, guys? I'm making rapid progress.]

Li Xian: [Also, how long will it take for you all to gather materials? We need 200 materials each to get all the points in the sell section. I've already collected 35% of the required. I've added 65 materials from my side in the sell section... Are you all slacking or what? 😏]

Li Xian finally messaged the group, feeling that the chat section of their group was a bit dead. He had already added the 65 Lilies that he collected on the first two days.

Initially, he thought that all the other members in the group were holding onto their materials to add them all at the same time. He considered doing the same, but the Lilies were depleting quickly, prompting him to add them to the sell section.

Adding materials was a simple process—open the sell section, place the material on the screen, and the Lily would magically disappear, increasing the count in the sell section.

Currently, the count looked like this: (61/0/0/0/0), making Li Xian wonder how the others were keeping their materials fresh.

Unknown to him, four people with four dispositions and from three different planets hurriedly opened their devices to check the message Li Xian sent. Everyone's face twitched with annoyance after seeing the message.

Luminara: [Forget about the strength part; I think you will be the last among all of us, even worse than the other human here. 😏]

Luminara: [But you are indeed a bit ahead in the race of the material mission. I have only gathered around 20 materials so far. It will take a lot more time for me to gather all, but once I get 50, I will add them to the sell section. 😒]

Luminara responded, and everyone had already seen Li Xian's count in the sell section.

Petra: [I agree with Sister Lumi on the strength part. No offence though... And about the materials? Please give me more time, guys. It's really hard for me to gather them. I promise to add them as soon as possible too. 😊]

Alex: [Don't always drag me down, Miss Luminara 😅. I think I can get all the materials very soon, not more than tens days.]

Gromm: [Humph! I'm hoping for the day that we meet @Li Xian. We will see whether you are truly making rapid progress or not. About materials, it will be the same for me, around ten days.]

Seeing everyone's reply, Li Xian understood that they were also waiting for someone to initiate this. He smiled as he looked at their messages, not bothering even a bit about Gromm's reply or everyone's reply.

He then closed the chat, even though Luminara, Alex, and Petra still chatted about their practice.

"Hm? Why are you smiling like that, Li?"

David asked a bit puzzled. But Li Xian simply told him to concentrate on the road. By the time they came back, it's already 5:30 pm.